Broncos fans ready for the cold

Temperature could drop to single digits during game

DENVER -- When you bleed orange and blue, it doesn't matter if you can't feel your frozen face, just as long as the Broncos can hear your cheers.

Saturday is supposed to be cold. Frigid in fact. But for fans attending the divisional-round playoff match-up between the Denver Broncos and the Baltimore Ravens, single-digit temperatures are nothing more than a backdrop for a game that could bring this town one step closer to the Super Bowl.

In the biggest match yet this season, weather could be a major factor at Sports Authority Field at Mile High not only for fans' enjoyment, but their health, as well as player performance and local business.

"Cold weather is the weather football should be played in," said fan Phil Hahn in a Facebook post. "When it's cold, I cheer louder and have more energy than I would if it was 90 degrees out."

In that case, it's lucky for Hahn the National Weather Service reports the high today will be 20 degrees, the low getting down to single digits. So, the "heat of the day" should be occurring around the 2:30 p.m. kickoff time. A chance of snow and wind is forecasted for the afternoon.

Peyton Manning -- the duly appointed sheriff of Broncos Country -- said he wasn't sure how the cold would affect the fans, but they have to make their presence known.

"We're going to need them to be as loud as they possibly can be on Saturday," Manning said.

The seats may not be heated, but the field will be, said Erich Schubert, Broncos spokesman.

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Ten inches beneath the field at the Sports Authority at Mile High run more than 20 miles of heat tubing, he said.

"The field heating system keeps the grass living, growing and recuperative, which helps provide a better playing surface in colder weather," said Andy Gorchov, general manager at Sports Authority Field.

The system is heated by water with two boilers powered by natural gas. There is also the ability to tie in a third boiler, if necessary, which provides a safety net of triple redundancy, Schubert said.

The field is divided into five heating zones, with two sensors per zone located at the 6-inch level, Schubert said.

RTD spokesman Scott Reed, said the BroncosRide -- buses going from 27 different Park-n-Ride facilities to the stadium -- shouldn't be more crowded than normal.

"On average, about 9,000 fans use the service and that is what we are expecting on Saturday," he said.

Extra light rail cars are put into use to and from the stadium for games, which 10,000 fans ride on average, Reed said.

"Those numbers are always very steady," he said.

While the stadium will have medical personnel on hand for emergencies, they will not be up-staffing or changing protocols for the anticipated cold, said Cindy Matthews, spokeswoman for Denver Health.

Denver police will be paying attention for anyone who may having issues due to the weather , said Sonny Jackson, police spokesman.

"If you see someone who is having trouble because of the cold, tell one of us," he said.

Pete Citrano, manager of Denver's flagship REI store, said he is expecting a rush of business before the game, which usually happens when there is a cold-weather match.

"We have moved all the necessary items people will need to the front of the store in anticipation," Citrano said.

It addition, a checklist was created for fans, listing needed items, cross-checked with what is allowed into the stadium, Citrano said.

"Sometimes they don't realize how cold it really is until they are on their way down to the game," he said.

The stadium fan shop will also sell hand-warmers, Schubert said.

Fans won't be the only ones wearing more clothing due to the cold.

Manning will likely wear long-sleeves, a neck-warmer and gloves.

The gloves will also help with grip.

"I certainly don't think I would have had to wear the glove had I not been injured last (season)," Manning said. "It's part of my injury, some things that I've had to adjust."

Players will have heaters on the sidelines, along with parkas, Schubert said.

Staff working the game will be prepared for the icy conditions, too.

"I have to work the game and I expect to have at least eight to 10 layers on," Jess Foulsham, a guest relations usher in a Facebook post.

Hot chocolate and coffee will be sold at concession stands and by staff who walk the isles, the Bronco's Schubert said.

Make sure you dress for the elements, Colwell stressed.

While some brazen attendees may want to make the Barrel Man proud with their lack of getup, Colwell said fans should wear layers of clothes.

When temperatures plummet, and exposure to the elements is for hours at a time, fans need to be aware of how their bodies react, Colwell said.

It only takes a few minutes for exposed skin to become frostbitten if the temperature is below 20 degrees and the wind is blowing at 20 mph, according to Denver Heath information.

"Keep covered, especially your head and try to keep dry," Colwell said. "Pay attention to any symptoms or changes you may feel from the cold."

And while leaving a toasty car or tailgate party earlier to get into the stadium may not sound appealing, Schubert said it's the best way to avoid a last-minute bottleneck to get into the stadium.

"Fans are encouraged to arrive to the gates not later than one hour and fifteen minutes before the scheduled kickoff time," he said. "Historically, cold weather games at any venue lead to a late arriving crowd."

Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil said no matter how cold it may be, he challenges fans to generate more noise than ever before today.

"It's vital," Dumervil said. "The louder you can get, the more it helps us up front."

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